Moving to Spain

With its balmy Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches and scenic countryside, delicious cuisines, magnificent architecture steeped in history and an unrivalled classical and modern arts culture, Spain is the perfect relocation destination for Brits looking to escape the humdrum of blustery Blighty. With around 1 million British expats already living in Spain, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re in good company too.

Whether you dream of sipping sangria in your very own secluded villa in Menorca or dining on tapas after a busy day at work in Madrid, there are many reasons to pack up your belongings and relocate to Spain. Now the decision has been made you might be starting to ask yourself a few important questions about the logistics of your move. This guide will give you all the information you need, including details of customs, moving your belongings, importing your car and also the best locations for expats to live.

Removals to Spain

If you want to live the good life, Spain is certainly the place. Who doesn’t want to take a siesta and head to the beach for a meal at dinner time? However, Spain is much more diverse than the portrayed image of retirees, trendy city breaks and party destinations.

There’s nothing quite like having your favourite things around you to make a place feel like home. Britannia Movers International specialise in helping families and individuals move their belongings quickly and safely from the UK to destinations all over Spain. We have decades of experience in international relocation services combined with a wealth of local knowledge to tailor your move to your individual requirements. We will ensure a seamless service from A to B and help all movers with obtaining the correct paperwork and visas.

International Removals to Spain

At Britannia Movers International you can expect a highly personalised service. We know moving to Spain can be an exciting but nerve-wracking experience, so we won’t simply be a voice at the end of the phone. One of our team will arrange to meet with you and visit your home, where you can discuss everything and ask as many questions as you like. This meeting will allow us to get to know you, understand the scale of your move and discuss any concerns or special requirements you have.

Furthermore, it will give our removals expert the opportunity to carry out an international moving survey. This is often helpful for our clients as they can then decide what needs to be shipped to Spain, what is going into storage, and what is being sold and recycled.

During this meeting, we will ask questions regarding your budget, timeframe and any potential moving dates. Whilst these aren’t set in stone then and there, it  will give us a rough idea so we can build your bespoke moving package and suss out any additional help you may need. Your representative will draw up your international removal plan based solely on your needs, and this will be sent to you for approval.

Additional Removal Services to Spain

Britannia Movers International has been helping move people for over 40 years, and there isn’t anything we haven’t faced before. Whether it’s safe pet transport or moving your vehicle overseas, removals insurance or professional packing service, Britannia has got you covered.

No matter where you are moving from, we can handle the paperwork and visas that you might need. We know that paperwork can be a nightmare and stressful, so we aim to minimise that as much as possible for you, by handling it ourselves where we can.

Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you with all the personalised specifics to do with your move. Request a quote or contact us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk.

Emigrating to Spain

The quickest and easiest way to travel from the UK to Spain is by plane. Spain has a number of international airports, the biggest being Madrid Barajas followed by Barcelona El Prat. Airlines that operate between the UK and Spain include British Airways, EasyJet, RyanAir and Iberia, amongst others, and the flight will take approximately 2.5 hours. If you prefer not to fly, travelling by car is an option which will take approximately 3 days with overnight stays and plenty of breaks. Another option is to travel by train utilising the high-speed rail networks of France.

Transit Options to Spain

Once you have finalised your decision to move to Spain, you will need to decide what belongings do you need to transport with you. Your shipping options to transport your items to Spain include air freight and sea freight. Sea freight is the most common option and can be quite cost-effective. Groupage shipping is a great option when you have less than a full container load, which can help to reduce costs by sharing with other consignments.

While nothing is too big or small for us to transport, it might be wise to consider some of our alternative services. If you know you’ll be moving overseas temporarily, you might prefer to leave some of your items in secure storage, which we can provide.

Spanish Visas and Passports

You will need a passport if you are travelling to Spain from the UK. The UK is not part of the Schengen area – 26 European states who have abolished passports and border control at their mutual borders.

If you are arriving in Spain from outside of the Schengen area, then you will need a visa and a passport to enter Spain. Additional paperwork might also be required but the team at Britannia will be happy to go through the finer details with you.

Living in Spain

Mainland Spain is home to incredible cities such as Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid. There are also the cornucopia of Spanish islands that include Ibiza, Majorca, Minorca and the Canaries just off of the west coast of North Africa.

Spain, despite the stereotypical images that precede it, is incredibly diverse. Many people who move to Spain welcome the sun and delicious food readily, as well as a more laid back way of life.

Of course, if you are relocating for work, you may have no choice about where you end up in Spain. But if you are relocating under your own steam, try to plan an extended visit to help you find the best location. Make a list of the things that are most important to you and weigh up your options before committing to a particular Spanish city or region.

Weather in Spain

Spain’s climate varies from region to region. However, the majority of the country, including Barcelona, Seville, Alicante, Granada and Valencia has a Mediterranean climate with warm dry summers and cool wet winters. Madrid is within the continental climate zone with hotter summers and colder winters. The average high in Spain in the summer is 31 degrees Celsius, and the average low in winter is four degrees Celsius.

Barcelona

Malaga

La Coruna

Jobs in Spain

Some of the best paying jobs for expats in Spain are at executive or management levels. However, these positions tend to be filled by expats relocated to Spain by their employer. Roles in aviation, the government, counselling and marketing are also well-paid highly respected jobs.

Some English speakers living in Spain become language teachers. There are a wide variety of roles available for expats in the tourism, caregiving and hotel industries.

Finding a Job in Spain

Finding employment in any country can be difficult and it’s certainly worth asking your current employer, if it’s an international company, for the option to move to the Spanish office. If it’s not international, look for the Spanish equivalent and send them an introductory email. Other alternatives are to choose a company you specifically want to work for and keep an eye on job openings on their website and other places such as LinkedIn. If you are looking for work in the tourism or leisure sector it may well be easier to simply travel to Spain for a day or two before your big move and hand your CV to the manager in various shops, bars, restaurants, hotels and clubs.

Cost of Living in Spain

Spain is generally cheaper than living in the UK. However, the average monthly salary in Spain is €1,742 per month (£1,464), whereas the average monthly salary in the UK is £2,886. Take a look at the comparisons below, using data from Numbeo:

• The cost of living in Spain is 24.9% lower than in the UK (excluding rent)
• The cost of living (including rent) in Spain is 25.6% lower than in the UK
• Rent in Spain is 27% lower than in the UK
• Groceries in Spain are 19.4% lower than in the UK

Spain’s Currency

Spain is one of 10 countries of the EU that uses the Euro. As of July 2024, 1 Euro equals 0.84 pound sterling.

Opening a Bank Account in Spain

The most popular banks amongst expats in Spain are HSBC and Barclays. Many expats actually just keep their same accounts. However, there are countless banks throughout the country and virtually all offer online banking services. For those who do not speak Spanish or English, there are some banks with multi-lingual staff who will also translate documents into the most appropriate language for the individual.

Expats living in Spain have the choice of opening a non-resident or resident bank account.

One thing expats should be aware of is Spain’s variety of high charges that can be placed on debit card transaction fees, correspondence fees, and transfer fees. Most banks also charge a small sum of money for opening an account.

Cost of Everyday Items in Spain

Check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Spain below. Prices are derived from Numbeo and shown in Euros and GDP so you can see how they match up.

You may also want to think about car hire and car hire excess insurance before you settle into your new life in Spain.

Renting and Buying Property in Spain

The cost to rent a 1 bedroom apartment in a city centre is on average €972.88 (£818.05) per month. A 3 bedroom home outside of a city centre can be rented for on average €1,087.23 (£914.20) per month.

If you’re thinking of buying a home, it’s worth considering the length of time you are planning to live in the property as Spain is a very bureaucratic country and buying a home can be costly and extremely time-consuming. In some cases, renting might be a more financially viable option until you find the home of your dreams.

Healthcare in Spain

Spain’s national Health Service is championed throughout Europe and beyond. Both the public and private sectors are renowned for providing a high standard of care.

As long as you have a social security number, healthcare is free of charge in Spain. Expats will need to register on the municipal register to receive their social security number and card. From here, this can be presented to a doctor in exchange for a medical card to ensure you receive free treatment.

You can also receive free healthcare if you have an EHIC or GHIC card, are a child, pregnant or a pensioner.

Most of the public hospitals in Spain have bi-lingual staff or interpreters. Sometimes the wait for specialists or operations can be a little long in public hospitals, but A&E waiting times are much shorter compared to the likes of the UK.

Some expats in Spain prefer to opt for private services as queues tend to be shorter than the public system and there is a wider access to different treatments and specialists.

For minor illnesses and injuries, many utilise the numerous 24-hour pharmacies dotted throughout Spain. They are recognisable by a green neon cross illuminating the premises. Due to strict price restrictions, medicines are affordable in Spain, and virtually anything can be purchased over the counter.

Education in Spain

Any child living in Spain between the ages of six and 16 must attend school. For expat children there are five options: free Spanish public schools, bilingual schools, private schools, independent schools, or home schooling. Whatever option is decided upon, after the age of 16 children can either go on to attend upper secondary (the Spanish equivalent to college) and university after that.

For families with children of primary school age or younger a local public school could be a great option. Children are taught solely in Spanish, surrounded by Spanish children, which will help them pick up the language quickly and integrate into society. However, your child will be taught solely in Spanish.

Another option is a bilingual school. These schools allow children to feel in control and gives them a chance to settle in whilst still speaking English and learning Spanish daily and integrating it into their lives. Look for schools offering British-Spanish programmes.

Although public schools have their benefits, attending a new school is daunting for a child, and a school where everybody is speaking a language alien to you can be frightening. However, some public schools across the country offer British-Spanish programmes. Bilingual schools allow children to speak in English, but Spanish is a big part of their day. These schools allow children to feel in control and gives them a chance to settle in.

On the other hand, private schools have smaller class sizes still, higher-quality facilities, and an array of extra-curricular activities to supplement children’s learning. Unless the school is bilingual, the curriculum will be the same as that in semi-private schools, and lessons will be taught in Spanish.

Some parents and children wish to study for the International Baccalaureate (IB). This is an internationally recognised qualification and available to children of all ages. It is also recognised by virtually all universities in the world. It is a popular choice when a child cannot be taught the curriculum of their home country. This type of schooling is only available at international schools, and these are notorious for high fees. However, many international schools can offer country specific schools such as British, German and French.

Spanish Culture

Life in Spain is much more relaxed compared to other European countries. The country is predominantly Roman Catholic, with around 94% of the population affiliated to the religion. However, due to Spain’s colourful history, Muslims, Jews, Christians and all other religions live harmoniously together in the country.

In Spain, the family is very important and much of the country’s social structure is based upon family getting together. Families also tend to support each other financially and socially.

Whilst Spain used to have a macho society where women tended to be homemakers, today, women are attending university and moving into jobs that were once dominated by men. Nowadays, men and women share parenting and household responsibilities and there is a huge emphasis on gender equality throughout Spain.

Languages in Spain

Spanish is the official language of Spain. It is also known as Castilian and is spoken by over 45 million people in the country.

Most other languages are based on regions. For example. Catalan, Galician, Valencian, Basque and Balearic are all languages of Spain.

Spanish Food and Drink

One dish that you simply must trying if visiting or living in Spain is their national dish, paella. Many claim that paella originated in Valencia where it was made with rice, rabbit, chicken and vegetables. However, today, it tends to contain a mix of calamari, mussels, clams, prawns, scampi and varieties of fish.

Other delicious and famous Spanish dishes include gazpacho, patatas bravas, empanadas and albondiga meatballs.

Puddings tend to be dairy based in Spain and flan and Crème Catalana are no exceptions. However, famous puddings of the past few years is the humble churro, which started life in the country. The deep-fried doughnut sticks are enjoyed at any point of the day, dunked in a steaming cup of melted chocolate.

A famous and popular alcoholic drink in Spain is, of course, sangria. Jugs are prepared with a bottle of red wine, two oranges, one lemon, sugar, and a cinnamon stick, before being left to sit for two hours.

Public Holidays in Spain

There are 9 national public holidays per year in Spain, which are listed below. Each region in the country also has its own set of holidays too, which can see local businesses closed.

• New Year’s Day – 1^st January
• Epiphany – 6^th January
• Good Friday – 30^th March
• Labour Day – 1^st May
• Assumption of Mary – 15^th August
• Spain’s National Day – 12^th October
• All Saints’ Day – 1^st November
• Spanish Constitution Day – 6^th December
• Christmas Day – 25^th December

If you are thinking about moving to Spain and want to find out more about our Spain removal services or request a quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.